Some Nepali DV Winners Face Disappointment as 2024 Case Number Limit Set at 13,000

For the current fiscal year 2024, which will end on September 30, the limit for Diversity Visa (DV) case numbers has been set at 13,000 for Nepali winners. This means that Nepali DV winners with case numbers above 13,000 will not be able to obtain a visa this year, bringing an end to their American dream through this year’s DV program.

The recent visa bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, has left many hopefuls disappointed. Historically, the months of August and September have seen minimal limitations on case numbers for Nepali DV winners, often allowing all case numbers to be current. However, this year, the restriction has been set firmly at 13,000.

According to the August visa bulletin, Nepali DV winners with case numbers up to 12,000 will be able to get visas in August. This is a significant change from previous years, where in August 2022, there was no limitation on case numbers, and in August 2023, visas were granted to Nepalis with case numbers up to 20,500.

For the current fiscal year 2024, there are 3,863 Nepali DV winners. The results will be available online until September 2024. Those who filled out the DV Lottery from October 5 to November 8, 2022, and won in May 2023, are now receiving their visas. However, out of a total of 143,000 people who have won the DV lottery, only up to a maximum of 55,000 people will be able to get a visa. This means there is no guarantee that everyone who wins the DV lottery will be able to come to the USA.

For DV 2024, a staggering 22,185,619 eligible people from all over the world applied for the DV program. In this fiscal year, nearly 2,400 Nepalis have received diversity visas as of June.